Chapter 12

 

Elora scurried through the sudden, early evening downpour in search of cover. She’d gone into Halifax for the day, despite the threatening weather, in search of some answers. She hadn’t found them yet, but she had finally put a stop to the two-year long bout of procrastination that had plagued her since her parents’ deaths. Relief, mingled with apprehension, churned in her stomach.

Under normal conditions Elora loved her sojourns into Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia and the second largest natural harbour in the world. At other times the pulse and beat of the big city would beckon her with its vibrancy, so very different from the sleepy atmosphere of Lunenburg, but not today. Today the portentous, restless day seemed to match her turbulent emotions.

Earlier in the day she’d gone to the hospital to the rehabilitation clinic to pick up her brand new prosthesis, which she was now trying out. The staff at the clinic had been so helpful, supportive and quick to praise her walking, and especially running, efforts. Despite her vastly improved mobility, she had no desire to get together with any of her old city friends tonight, even though Ronnie had offered to keep Caitlin overnight. All she wanted to do was wait out the worst of the storm and then head home.

Elora shook water droplets out of her hair then ducked into the nearest doorway. In the foyer of a fancy restaurant she crashed headlong into a man who was foolish enough to want to leave shelter and brave the elements. She glanced up into stormy grey eyes.

“Danny.” She smiled. “I don’t believe it.” 

His arms wrapped around her and steadied her. Her pulse leaped immediately in response. She blamed the adrenaline rush from her dash in from the rain. The rushing surge in her veins had nothing to do with the tall man clad handsomely in a designer business suit holding her snugly against his broad chest, nothing to do with the clean, masculine, woodsy scent of him.

“Lori, what a surprise.” He grinned. “What are you doing here?”

“Taking shelter.” She chuckled. “What about you?” She forced herself to step out of his warm embrace.

“I was just leaving. But now that you’re here, I’d much rather stay.” He looked past her shoulder at the downpour. “No need to go out in that. Let’s go have a drink.” He placed his hand lightly at the small of her back and ushered her towards the dining room.

She balked momentarily. “I don’t think I’m suitably dressed for this place.” She indicated her puddle-splashed khakis and damp navy sweater.

“Don’t worry,” Danny whispered in her ear. “You’re with me, sweetheart.” Before she could frame any kind of a response to the endearment, he asked, “Where’s that dangerous cane of yours?”

“I don’t need it anymore.” Elora sauntered beside him with no hint of a limp. “I’ve been working out.” After two weeks of intense, diligent practice she could not only walk freely, but she could also run short distances as well as climb stairs properly, no longer labouring up them one at a time as she used to.

At the entrance to the main dining room, the maitre d’ cast a surreptitious glance at her casual attire, but he deferred instantly to Danny’s cool nod and proprietary hand, which still rested lightly on her back.

The maitre d’, with all professional deference, pulled out a chair for her while Danny seated himself across from her at the intimate table for two.

“I’m glad to see you’re doing so much better now.” Danny grinned. “I should take you out golfing one of these days.”

“I would love that.”

“Great. Here or in Lunenburg? How does tomorrow sound?”

“Don’t you think of anything else but golfing?” she teased.

“I think of you.” He reached for her hand across the table.

“Oh.”

Her face warmed at the implication of his words. She pulled her hand out of his and pushed the tangle of hair from her face. She really must do something about this frizzy bush that was refusing to relax as promised by the stylist. And wet weather, as she was discovering to her chagrin, didn’t help.

Fortunately, the waiter chose that moment to interrupt. “Would you like anything from the bar?”

“I’d just like some tea, please,” she said. “Peppermint – if you have any?” In an aside to Danny she shrugged and said, “I’m afraid I have to drive tonight, and I’ve had my quota of coffee for the day. I’m feeling jumpy enough right now, without adding more caffeine to my system.”

“My mother drinks that stuff.” Danny gave a mock shudder. “Personally, I can’t stand it.”

“And what would monsieur like?” the waiter asked, pen politely poised over his notepad.

“Coffee would be fine.” He winked at Elora. “I have to drive, too. And where coffee is concerned I have no quota.” Danny indicated the menus lying on the table. “Would you like anything to eat with that ghastly tea?”

“I’m not hungry,” she replied.

“Not hungry? Do my ears deceive me?”

After the man had taken their beverage orders, Danny reached across the table and recaptured both of her hands. “Now where were we?”

“Talking about your mother.”

“Let’s not talk about her,” Danny said. “I want to know what you’ve been up to.” He smiled his wolfish grin. “And I want to know what’s got you all jumpy. I’m pretty sure it’s not just the coffee. And knowing you, the fact that you’re not hungry this close to dinnertime is not a very good sign.”

Excitement, mingled with dread, bubbled up inside of Elora. “I want to talk about my mother,” she blurted out. She leaned forward and tightened the grip on his hands. “I just came from hiring a private investigator,” she whispered. “To try and find my mother for me.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “I hope I’m doing the right thing.”

“Start at the beginning,” Danny urged. He gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze, but didn’t let go. “You’re not making any sense. Back in Lunenburg you told me your mother was dead. What do you mean by wanting to find her?”

“After my parents died two years ago, I discovered that my twin brother and I had been adopted. At first I wanted nothing to do with my natural mother, but ever since my illness I’ve looked at things differently. Now I feel it’s important to get to know her. That is, if she wants to know me at all.”

“What does your brother say about this?”

“He’s dead too.” She dropped her gaze. “They all died together in a plane crash, even my grandmother.”

“I’m so sorry.” Danny caressed the backs of her hands with his thumbs, imparting reassurance.

The waiter arrived with their drinks. Danny let her go and leaned back. Elora took comfort from pouring her tea – performing a normal ritual.

“It’s okay now.” Elora picked up her cup and held the steaming beverage under her nose. “The worst is over. But sometimes it’s lonely with just me and my niece. Part of me wants to become part of a family again, but the other side of me is terrified of rejection. I just don’t know….” she trailed off. She sipped her tea.

“Listen, Lori.” Danny leaned forward. “I wish for you that this step will lead to the happiest of endings, believe me, I do. But I want you to be careful. I would hate for you to be hurt.” His dark grey gaze locked intently with hers.

“I know.” Elora took another sip. “My friend Veronica says that my real mother may be like me, happy at the prospect of being reunited. But, at the same time, I know she gave us up for a reason.”

“I want your friend to be right.” Danny pushed aside his cup and reached for her hand once more, as if he could somehow impart some of his strength into her through the contact.

Elora accepted his small gesture without question. She was more than grateful for his touch, his care.

“But don’t pin all your hopes on the outcome,” he cautioned.

“You’re right.” She gave him a small, wistful smile.

He stroked her fingers, gave them a final squeeze, then released them to pick up his cup.

“Let the investigator get the information,” Danny suggested. “Then study what he comes up with. Don’t rush into anything. And if you want, I’d be willing to go over the info with you.”

“You would?”

“Sure. I know you’ve got friends, heck half of Lunenburg adores you, and I just want you to know that if you’d like an outsider’s opinion—”

“An unbiased point of view?”

He grinned, a hint of his wolfish smile she adored so much framed by the neat, short-cropped beard. “I’m not quite sure how unbiased I can be where you’re concerned, but I’ll do my best.”

She felt her cheeks warm. In an effort to control her wayward thoughts she brought the subject back to her mother. “I really miss being part of a family. It would be so wonderful to find my mother and to be welcomed into her life.”

Danny narrowed his eyes. “Just remember though, that you can’t push relationships onto people, because life doesn’t work that way.”

“I know.”

Danny grinned and the light sparkled in his grey eyes. “Tell you what, Lori, you can have my family.”

Elora blinked. “Say what?”

Danny waved his hand over his head. “I’ve had it up to here with my folks and my brother telling me what I owe to the family, telling me how to live my life.” He sighed. “Telling me what I can and cannot do.”

“What do you want, Danny?”

He sat back. “Not to be a business executive locked away in an ivory tower, that’s for sure. I like to feel space around me. I like to do things, like golf, but you knew that already.” He grinned, but then grew serious once more. “I just want to live somewhere where I can have a life that’s not all work and no play.” He shrugged. “I guess it sounds kind of childish when put in those words.”

“Not at all.” This time she reached across to him and took his hand. “Tell them your dreams, Danny. Make them understand what it is you want.”

She smiled. Who knew better than a professional figure skater about dreams and about choosing a different path through life? She gave his fingers a caring squeeze.

“It’s not that easy.”

“Is there a reason why you can’t quit?”

“Quit?” He blinked. “You mean just up and leave the family business?”

She smiled. “Why not? It’s a heck of a lot better than staying in a job you absolutely loathe. At this rate, not only will you be miserable, but it sounds to me like they’re all going to end up miserable along with you.”

He shook his head. “I’ve tried to suggest alternatives, believe me. They won’t listen.”

“I’ll listen.” Before he could respond, she added, “Although I’ve changed my mind about something else. You were absolutely right before, I am ravenous. Does that offer of dinner still stand?”

“It sure does.” His entire demeanour relaxed upon hearing her suggestion.

All he had to do was nod at the maitre d’ and the man gave silent acknowledgement that a waiter would be with them shortly. Elora took note of the subtle signals passed between patron and staff, and decided she had to tell Perry about that one. While they waited for their waiter to return to take their orders, Elora sat back and held her cup before her. She gazed at Danny over the rim.

“Why don’t you tell me, Danny, what is it you really want to do?”

Danny leaned forward; a big enthusiastic smile lit up his strong, handsome face. “I’ve never told anyone this before. But what I’d really like—”

“Darling!” a dulcet female voice spoke suddenly over Danny’s shoulder. “There you are. I’m so sorry I’m late. Traffic in that dreadful storm almost came to a standstill, and I thought we’d never get here.”